It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas... or Hannukkah?

We here at Brothers & Sisters sure do take the holidays seriously.  There are something like four or five Secret Santa gift exchanges going on (one of those is a Secret Satan), Christmas trees have been erected, menorahs adorn the hallways, everyone is giddy and gay and fat. We’re working like little elves in Robbie’s Secret Workshop getting ready to deliver a beautifully decorative episode entitled “Light the Lights,” airing this Sunday at 10pm, written by two wonderfully talented new writers, Cliff “The Hamburger” Olin and Pete “The Toad” Calloway.   In return, we just ask that you’ll continue to vote for us for the People’s Choice Award because Dave is starting to really get desperate.  It was rumored that he was seen yesterday soliciting votes from senile senior citizens in Toluca Lake during one of his runs to Coffee Bean for Berlanti. 

In other news, we had to talk Oscar down from the roof of the Zorro parking structure after his beloved USC Trojans suffered a devastating loss at the hands of the Bruins. He even called in sick this morning muttering something about firing Kiffin (none of us knew what that meant.) Luckily, he was able to get his spirits up and was here to proof part of our latest script written by new writer Sherri Cooper-Landsman and David Marshall Grant.

Ok, ok, now for the good stuff.   So, after looking through all your comments in search of your Frequently Asked Questions, we’d like to take a moment to answer a few of them.  And here they are --

1) When will we be able to watch the episodes online?!

Ahhh, the million dollar question.  Trust us folks, we are doing all we possibly can on our end to make this happen.  We’ve begged and groveled and waited. And waited.  Polished our shoes and cleaned behind our ears so that our little step-child of a show could get the love, respect, and recognition it deserves.  But there is light at the end of the tunnel.  I’ve heard whispers that sometime after the New Year, our show will be adopted into the abc.com downloadable episodes family.  They like us, they really like us.

2) Will Scotty and Kevin ever get back together?

I’ll admit it. I’m a member of the I Heart Scotty club. So if it were up to me, Kevin and Scotty would be this century’s Luke and Laura.  They’d ride off into the sunset in Kevin’s BMW and live happily ever after.  But this is TV.  This is a drama.  So all good things must come to an end.  That’s not to say they won’t run into each other again.  It’s a small small world, L.A. is.  But for now, Kevin will romance and be romanced by some surprising characters that I’m sure you will all love.

3) Who reads this blog, besides us, I mean - does JRB read it? Any of the crew? Any of the cast members?

We do read the blog, the crew reads the blog, I’m sure some of the actors have read it once or twice.  Maybe.  Probably. (Hi Sarah Jane!) It’s as entertaining for us to read your comments as for you to read our blog.  So yes, we love the feedback, the comments, the controversy.  Bring it.

4) What is the age order of the siblings?
Drum roll please…

Sarah – 39
Kitty – 38
Tommy – 36
Kevin – 34
Justin – 26

5) Can you explain the notes process? Is it done electronically? Are they handwritten? Who gives them? Etc, etc...

I'd turn this over to Oscar, but he's too busy being depressed and slamming his head against the keyboard (someone mentioned the Bruins).  What he'd say though, is that the notes process is primarily conducted via conference call, with someone – usually Dan Silk – transcribing the notes on a computer.  The studio and network execs will give notes such as wanting a certain storyline paid off sooner, or requesting that a character's motivation be clearer, or even just complimenting a job well done (we like those). The writer will then take those notes and figure out how to apply to them to the script, either by tweaking dialogue or rewriting entire scenes.  Once that's done, they're given to Oscar to release as "revised pages." You know, when he's not throwing things or crying softly behind closed doors.

Loose Change:
Robbie stood in the hallway today, asking us for our hall passes...   Dave the PA handled the most massive lunch order of the series so far. To the surprise of many, he came back error free. Sadly, Ken Olin nearly died of hunger waiting for it to arrive. He was also highly irritated that there were no napkins in the kitchen, yelling, "What am I supposed to do? Wipe my hands on Splenda packets?!?"... David Marshall Grant is eagerly awaiting the opening of the new on-lot Starbucks like the lady in the Mervyn's commercial, "Open, open, open..."  Brian, the new assistant, keeps asking for a copy of the "gay agenda." No one has the heart to tell him...  Cliff and Pete have begun breaking their next episode...  Show Progress:  113 shooting, 114 prepping, 115 writing, 116 breaking (whew). 

Happy Holidays!
Gladys and Oscar

Comments

[Danny]

Hey guys, I'm just a big fan of the show, and now a big fan of the blog :) I just thought I'd share, haha.

Bring back Scotty! :)

[Karen]

Come on you guys - I love the show and I ask again - how old be Cliff Olin? I remember when Patricia Wettig was on Rosie a few years back and said he was 16. So at most he's like 23 or 24. Young for a writer, yes? Not to say he can't write but aren't there writers clamouring out there without the last name of Olin?
I'll give you a Canadian nickel if you actually publish this.
Thanks!

[Shoshana Mitzner]

I haven't watched the show until tonight. Once again I have to see one more Jewish person in the media become "Christianized" to be more acceptable to the general populace. It is extrememly drifficult to see. There ARE tho9se of us (many) who are proud and happy to be of the Jewish faith (not just a culture) and fight every day to maintain our identity. Christmas is a wonderful time for many people and I wish them all a very happy holiday. Shame on you for finding it necessary to make a religion less (without any knowledge of it) just to fit you script.

[David]

I just watched Holiday Lights and was wondering what the name of the Yiddish song was? Where can i get the words?

[Jon Badeaux]

What was that song that was playing in the background over the past couple minutes of this episode? I was a female vocalist and very haunting -- beautiful song!

[Ann]

Ok, I am going to change the subject a bit from Scotty and Kevin. My thoughts tend to go more towards Holly. Does anyone dislike this character as much as I do? I don't dislike her because she is the "other woman", I dislike her because her character is just annoying.
The character of Holly holds no interest for me. I don’t find her in any way interesting. She is just boring and annoying. Out of all the characters on this show she seems the most one dimensional to me. The sad other woman who keeps trying to hang on to something she could not completely have in the first place. I wish they could do something to either develop this character further into someone we can at least somewhat relate to and have interest and empathy for or just get rid of her altogether. It just feels like the character of Holly is mostly a vehicle for producer Ken Olin to create work for his wife. I vote to either do something to beef up this character or just phase her out and let us see the development of some of the other characters like Tommy and Sarah.

[Julia]

A better question than the ones asked above is why there are commercials after every scene. I love the show, but have felt increasingly bothered by the constant commercials;it takes away from the show- there had to be at least 8 breaks tonight. Is it really necessary to have breaks every 5 minutes?

[Beverly]

What were you thinking? Last night's Xmas-Chanukah episode was a travesty! Uncle Sol just happens to have a yamulka in his pocket, recites a borucha incorrectly, and sings an inappropriate song. Mom is a liberal humanist who gave up Judaism but celebrates a christian holiday. Her granddaughter tries out Chanukah, but loves Xmas best. You made a joke out of Chanukah by playing with it. Very bad taste!

[Dottie]

Thank you for a show that is current,believeable, loving, thought-provoking,sensitive, educational and so very entertaining !!!Great cast. I look forward to every episode.For your demographics: I am a married for 46 years, woman of 66 with 4 children who sees our relationships in every episode. Finally, a show that realates to real-life drama. Thanks.

[el Sobrante]

Thanks for the great show. It is about time someone picked up my emotions since the end of Six Feet Under.

[I love this show]

There is no other show around - cable or traditional tv - where the writing shows such intelligence, and the actors have such a gift for its delivery. Last night's show was tops - I would like to have Saul's dinner speach and song on tape - it was the most moving bit of television in a while.
I just voted in the PCA survey - everyone reading this blog should do the same.

[ckcpurple]

Great show Sunday night! Loved how you incorporated both Jewish and Christian traditions. After every episode I am so dazzled by the caliber of your entire staff. The writers, actors, directors, set designers, costumers are ALL top-notch. You expect the veteran actors to blow you away, however, even the new-comers are fabulous. The little girl that plays Paige is simply fantastic.

On another note....you have a great catch in David Marshall Grant. I'm not as familiar with his writing as I am with his acting. I sure hope he hasn't given up acting completely.

[judy]

I though your Chanukah / Christmas episode was good, up to a point. I really liked the way Paige was conflicted about her religion. I resented, though, fact that Nora said about lighting Chanukah candles something to the effect that she doesn't believe in meaningless religious rituals. huh? is she saying Judaism is meaningless? because all these years she's been celebrating Christmas. what's the message, guys?

[andrew]

what was that fantastic quote that Sally Fields said about secular humanists? I'd love to put it in my blog. thanks!

[Cass]

I have to say that I am very thankful for this show. I am the middle of seven and can see my family like this...minus the mistress, minus the stress of day to day life, but for the most part US. I have the whole family hooked and yes we even call during the commercials to talk about what will/should happen next.
Sally Field is my mom's favorate actress,and frankly she is a little over the top as Nora's character...all in all, I love this show and it is getting up there in what I watch, just like Grey's did.
I voted for you guys and hope that you win over Ugly Betty (another good show, but not as good as yours)
Happy Holidays

[Carine]

Quick question, guys. Did the actor playing Cooper change?
Maxwell Cotton isn't credited in the latest episode (Light the Lights) and a certain John Berg is and there are scenes with the little dude. The only John Berg I could find (uncanny) is an old dude that did not appear in the episode ;)
Thanks for answering

[Emo]

I absolutely LOVE this show. My Mom and I watch the show evey week and too call eachother at commercial breaks. This is my first blog and of all the shows I have ever watched this is the one that has got me hooked. Everything about the show is wonderful, from the writing to the acting. The one thing that I find amazing is how pasionate and loyal(HooHoo..HooHoo)and serious everyone is about the show. I mean the people who were upset about Kevin and the Military guy hooking up. I mean gays in the military....yeah cause that's something rare. The question of religon? Both got props, relax! Kitty not being "REALLY" conservative, she's on a fake show that spews political mubo jumbo...does anyone ever really listen? And lastly yes I agree, Holly has got to go, sorry Mrs. Olin but the Mistress can't possibley come out on top, I mean if that's the case then I'll put back on my Scarlette Letter. Happy Holidays and a safe New Year to everyone at Brothers & Sisters and the loyal fans.
PS I voted for ya-duh!

[Jeff]

Great Show. Really liked "Light the lights" If anyone knows the answer: What was the name of the song Ron Rifkin Sang after he lit the Candles? I liked it a lot. Thanks to everyone!

[Trenton]

Can anyone tell me the name of the song at the end of "Light the Lights." It sounds very much like the Imogen Heap song "Hide and Seek." It was perfect for that point in the show...just wanted to know who it was :)

[Sue]

I liked the cover of Gordon Lightfoot's "Song for a Winter's night" at the end of the last episode. It sounded like Sarah McLachlan - was it her?

[Cindy]

My favorite new show this year. Need to know exactly what Sally Field (Nora) said to her granddaughter about Santa. It was perfect, I didn't write it down, and I wish I had. Please, anyone? Thanks!

[Shash]

LOVED the Light the Lights episode! Who performed the song while Ron Rifkin was talking about the miracle of the oil and before the prayer? Please tell him his rendition of the prayer was beautiful and moved me to tears. What a wonderful episode!

Sue and Trenton, it was Sarah McLachlan, and it is on her Wintersong album.

[Paulina]

I love this show and I hate the stop and go thing they are doing at ABC. I was so looking forward to watching it tonight. (Sun. 17 ET) I can't wait for the next episode.
Thanks for the blog because at least that way we know what's going on and that the show hasn't been cancelled.

[MELL J]

B&S is my new favorite show. I cannot wait till next new episode. The acting is superb from all Characters. Most notabley Matthew Rhys!!! Keep up the good work!! Hard Luck on the Golden Globes!! Best wishes on the People choice awards. I know this show will shine , come Emmy time!

[mckenna]

I love this show!I love Kevin and Justin`s characters! Kevin is so clever and witty, and Justin ( aside from being the hottest guy ever)has a glowing charm about him. I just wish that he wasn`t always played as the loser of the family.I`m really hoping that Justin can give up his drug addiction,and Kevin will understand more about his relashionship with Scotty. But their both great actors!